Unraveling the Mystery: Edgar Allan Poe's Death by Rabies

Edgar Allen Poe was a 19th century author and poet who was famous for many short stories such as “The Cask of Amontillado” and “The Telltale Heart”. His most famous work being the poem, “The Raven”. In 1849, Poe mysteriously died in a hospital after acting strangely in a bar. Many sources agree that he died of some form of cerebral inflammation, but agreements stop on the topic of how it happened. Many different theories arise, such as disease from weather exposure, or alcohol poisoning. Later on, a new theory arised, stating that Poe died of rabies. The theory suggests that Poe suffered from a bite or scratch many months before, and symptoms began to show after he forgot about the injury. Edgar Allan Poe died of rabies, and can be proven by the recorded symptoms in the hospital, his behavior at the tavern and at the hospital, and evidence for the lack of a bite mark or memory of one.
Poe’s symptoms match those of rabies victims. Poe entered the hospital

passed out, then woke up sweating heavily, then began hallucinating and shouting at imaginary figures. Dr. Moran reported that Poe “talked to spectral and imaginary objects on the walls” (qtd. in Silverman 184). The day after, Poe seemed relatively normal and could not remember any illness. In the last few hours of living, Poe was confused, yet violent and aggressive. Then, on October 7, 1849, Poe was mostly silent before saying his final words “God help my poor soul.”
The symptoms shown by Poe point to encephalitis, or inflammation of the cerebellum.

More specifically, rabies encephalitis.
More evidence that points to Poe dying of rabies is his behavior at the tavern and the hospital. Dr. Benitez explains that Poe was only semi-conscious at the tavern and was reported to have been wearing another person’s clothes. At the hospital, Poe was also reported to be exhibiting hydrophobia. Rabies victims commonly exhibit hydrophobia, since water becomes painfully hard to swallow. Poe also refused alcohol once brought to him at the hospital.
Many people who oppose the theory of rabies encephalitis mention that there was a lack of bite or scratch on Poe, as none were ever recorded. Rabies victims often go from months to a year after a bite before symptoms appear. Next to rabies, another popular theory involves Poe dying of alcoholism. Rumors of Poe being an alcoholic before dying are untrue, due to the fact that Poe would become deathly sick even after drinking a single glass of

wine.